Congress reacts to Libyan attack

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., right, walks to a top-secret meeting of the committee on the Middle East, Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Overnight, U.S. Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens and others embassy staff were killed during a violent assault on the American consulate in Benghazi, Libya. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Congress reacts to Libyan attack

Members of Congress were united today in condemning the attacks on the embassy in Libya and remembering the victims, though some went further to call for military action in response.

Storified by Digital First Media · Wed, Sep 12 2012 08:39:54

“Despite this horrific attack, we cannot give in to the temptation to believe that our support for the democratic aspirations of people in Libya, Egypt, and elsewhere in the broader Middle East is naive or mistaken.” – Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.)

Senators McCain, Lieberman and Graham – statement on the attack on US Consulate – GretaWireSTATEMENT BY SENATORS McCAIN, LIEBERMAN AND GRAHAM ON ATTACK ON U.S. CONSULATE IN BENGHAZI Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators John McCain (…

There is no justification for the cowardly acts of violence that took the lives of four Americans in Libya: http://1.usa.gov/PbX2mjScott Brown

“There is no justification for the murder of our diplomats and attacks of our embassies. We have nothing for which we should apologize. We must ensure that the perpetrators of this recent round of 9/11 attacks are held accountable.” – Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), chairwoman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs

No Justification for the Murder of U.S. Diplomats, We Have Nothing to Apologize For, Ros-Lehtinen Says – House Committee on Foreign AffairsWashington, D.C. -U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following stat…

These senseless murders are a stark reminder that our war against radical Islamic terrorists is ongoing http://1.usa.gov/NogoWWSenator Dan Coats

“This is one of those moments when Americans must unite as Americans. It is exactly the wrong time to throw political punches. It is a time to restore calm and proceed wisely.” – Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.)

John Kerry: ‘Exactly the wrong time to throw political punches’The Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman, last seen tearing into Mitt Romney at the Democratic convention in Charlotte, issues a s…

“ Eleven years after September 11, this is a jolting reminder that freedom remains under siege by forces around the globe who relish violence over free expression, and terror over democracy — and that America and free people everywhere must remain vigilant in defense of our liberties.” – House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio)

Flag over @USCapitol being flown at half-staff in memory of Amb. Stevens & our American personnel killed in #Libya. http://pic.twitter.com/A92cdHswSenator Roger Wicker

Congress Responds to Killing of U.S. Ambassador in Libya – Influence AlleyElected officials have begun to respond to the Wednesday killing of U.S. ambassador to Libya J. Christopher Stevens and three embassy sta…

“It is too often forgotten that American diplomats risk their lives on a daily basis. Our diplomatic corps is filled with admirable and dedicated public servants. And the four Americans who lost their lives yesterday exemplified the courage and sacrifice that happens every day at diplomatic posts across the globe.” – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.)

Lawmakers react to killing of U.S. ambassadorThe United States Ambassador to Libya was killed in Tuesday’s attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi. President Obama appointed J. Chri…

Simply condemning the killings in Libya with mere words is not satisfactory, there needs to be consequences. http://kevinbrady.house.gov/brady-news-releases/statement-from-congressman-brady-on-the-killings-in-libya/RepKevinBrady